I am home after a week in Sanur...I am as you would expect in the deepest depression...work on Monday, making things even worse.
It was my 40th and I had planned this trip for a while. What was different for me this time, was, I had my family, my elderly parents and another family in tow. Usually I do Bali with my girlfriends; we've been going for years so this trip was going to be different.
Air Asia changed our flights. It was ok only it meant we lost our first day. Arrived after midnight on a very empty flight. This meant a three seater to self for a nana nap.
Breezed through customs and the trip to Sanur was quiet. That really is a bonus about arriving late.
The beautiful staff were ready and waiting at Ellora Villas for us...they were as usual, attentive and caring even at that time in the morning. My parents were in awe...this is something really different for them. The villas are beautifully appointed. I love the open thatched roofs and the barking geckos...this was an experience for the oldies.
The first day was spent relaxing in the villa and exploring the streets in the vicinity. Of course the trip to Hardys is a must. My hubby had his script for his reading glasses filled...so cheap. He got two pairs for $100. Not designer frames as he's not that sort of chap! The person on the mic at Hardys needs to be gagged. It was really annoying after a short time and I ended up buying cartons of cool drink instead of bottles as I didn't want to go back. Stocked up on all the deodorants, teenage skin products, shampoos, ear candles, panadol, bandaids, berrocas etc etc...all so cheap.
We ventured to garlic lane the second day to buy our clothing and were disappointed to find out due to Gulangang and Kuningan ceremonies a lot of the shops were closed. That was OK, we went to Pips instead and had our toenails and foot massages done. Mum is very fragile and needs everything done on gentle plus mode. The cuticle scraping was a bit harrowing for her, but I reassured her to just gently say she didn't want that done. The ladies are so caring and obliging nothing is a drama. It's all about YOU which is amazing.
We then went to Centro Discovery and the teenagers got their sports shoes from sports station and planet sports. This was a great day for the oldies they loved bread talk we had savouries and sweet selections for lunch. Enough for 10 people was $8. Just amazing...
Water bomb park was awesome. The organisation is brilliant at this place. We hired a cabana so mr and mrs could park up for the day whilst the 40 year olds and the kids did all the rides...yes all the rides. The stairs are gruelling but needed to make up for lunch. OMG such good food. It's endless... It was a rainy and reasonably quiet day so the crowd factor was minimal. Mum and I went off and had coffee and cake. The lady at the cake shop was tickled pink that I knew to ask for susu and gula (milk and sugar) and we shared a caramel bun. Dad being a baker - was intrigued as to the flour used in all the pastries as they are so light and fluffy. We didn't think ANYONE but the creators of the Italian panettone could make them. Wrong. Bread talk do it BETTER!!! Enjoyed a delivered lunch of pizza, calamari, some of us had a nasi and lots of ice teas and milkshakes to keep the kids going. Just loved this day, even though it was rainy it was a good place to get wet, and it soon passed. It was just so much fun. The kids went off and did their own thing in small groups. We put 200 000 on their wrist bands so they could get a drink and snack when they needed one and they all loved the independence. It was just lovely. Not for one minute did we worry about them, or wonder if they would be OK. The staff here are wonderful. Keeping a check on all the young ones, smiling helpfully at the older ones and just generally being their beautiful selves. We indulged in a massage at the massage hut. It was the most amazing experience. We had this done early before the salon filled up and we were in heaven. My therapist had the hands of an angel and the eyes and smile of a goddess. My 80 year old Dad who suffers from back pain came out a new man, and even ventured out into Lazy River!!!
In Sanur we ate at two places....the Ducks Nuts and Ratatouille. Both were excellent. The price and value for money was brilliant. My hubby is a true blue Aussie so he enjoyed the familiar faces and sounds of the Australian clientele. We had some good pub grub here and of course enjoyed a nice cold bintang. Ratatouille was very nice. The older folk really enjoyed this. Apart from a torrential down pour where we all got drenched the seafood and steak is awesome. Very good quality. The live music was also great here with serenades at each table with a request. Mum was pleased they could play a few songs she remembered from yesteryear and in Spanish too!! Amazing...
We also went to Safari park...I got a wheel chair for Dad as it was a warm day and a long walk. We watched the piranhas feeding and the animal show in the main arena. Only in Bali. Totally amazing, it was awesome. We left Africa 25 years ago...so to see Zebra, lions, buffalo, cheetah and the beloved Rhino in an air conditioned bus with a sweet hostess was lovely. Tsavo restaurant was delicious. I didn't want my meal to end. Had the Tasmanian salmon with wilted greens. $40 for the same meal at home. All for $7 with a view of the lions and someone constantly asking you if you need a drink etc. It's just amazing, and for people who have never experienced it before, you really notice whats lacking at home. It's amazing and truly appreciated. The desserts were out of this world. The panacotta was perfection. I could just rave on for ages....
I had read about La Lucciola so many times, so this trip being my 40th was a must. We booked well in advance and arrived at sunset. We were seated at an upstairs table. I must say I thought there would be one or two children's choices. Alas, there were not so the younger children had the pasta dish. The frozen margaritas met all of my expectations and more...the food superb. What can I say? It was a 40th I will never forget. It was perfection at every level. I loved it.
The shopping musts of Legian Street and Perlu - Orboroi Rd were Birthday treats with many a treasure purchased amongst laughter, banter and fun. When someone remembers you from a previous trip a year earlier, it must mean you are one super shopper !!!! Bali is amazing and gives you amazing experiences.
Didn't get to Biku as we ran out of time and I was disappointed about this as I really wanted to do this. Still it's a plan for next time.
There are no regrets as you learn things every time. Had a minor hassle wiht the washing. Didn't look at the list as I was expecting the normal prices. Our local shop was closed so we went to an upmarket looking venue around the corner. When I called in to check how they were going the bill came in at $97. I explained it was not what I wanted and due to the rain she hadn't started. It was no trouble, I just got the bags back and waited for the regular laundry to open the next day.
The airport renovations weren't too much of a hassle as we asked a porter to help the oldies with their bags and I enjoyed the smiles on their faces with the generous tip. Worth every cent I reckon.
So as I unpack my bag, reminisce the smells of the places I purchased things, I keep sniffing each item that was washed and labelled so carefully. I will leave everything out as long as I can, so I can keep looking at the items from Garlic Lane, the bags from Tommys leather shop, the supermarket items from Hardys, the shells and home wares from Legian Street and the jewels from Orboroi Road. I miss you Bali. Thank you once again, for making me feel special, for rejuvenating me once again and for taking all my worries away.